By: Jeff Evans, Assistant AD for Athletic Communications
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Western Washington University senior
Claire Potter scored a pair of goals and had one assist in games last week to earn the title of GNAC Women's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week for games played October 27-November 2.
Potter became the 100th WWU selection as GNAC Player of the Week dating back to the 2002 season while earning her third career award to tie for sixth-most in program history. The Pasco native also earned the honor earlier this season (Oct. 13-19) and during her freshman season in 2022.
During wins over Seattle Pacific (2-0) and Montana State Billings (2-1) last week at Harrington Field, Potter was the offensive cog that kept the Vikings unbeaten streak going at 14 consecutive games (12-0-2). In Thursday's 2-0 blanking of Seattle Pacific, Potter staked her second brace of the season as she found the net in the seventh and 18th minutes.
After scoring her third game-winning goal of the year vs. SPU, she provided the assist on
Morgan Manalili's game-winner in Saturday's 2-1 triumph over MSUB. With the score tied midway through the second half, Potter slotted a drop pass onto the foot of Manalili who finished the final goal of the match.
Potter now ranks 4th in the conference with seven goals and 5th in the conference with four assists this season, adding up to 18 points to rank 3rd in the GNAC. The senior upped her career count to 16 goals and 10 assists, for 42 points across her 84 matches played since the fall of 2022.
The Vikings (12-1-4, 10-0-2) complete the regular season this week hosting Simon Fraser on Thursday (7 pm) and Central Washington for Senior Day on Saturday (1 pm) with both games at Harrington Field. WWU has already secured a spot in the GNAC Championships played November 13-15 in Burnaby, B.C. and can clinch a second consecutive GNAC regular-season title this week. Western is ranked No. 12 in the current United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II poll.
